STATEHOUSE WATCH: Mayor Gahan Condemns SB477 as Political Attack, Supports SB134 for Comprehensive Water Management
/STATEHOUSE WATCH: Mayor Gahan Condemns SB477 as Political Attack, Supports SB134 for Comprehensive Water Management
Mayor Gahan today voiced strong opposition to SB477, a bill cosponsored by current State Representative and former failed New Albany Mayoral Candidate Ed Clere, calling it a politically motivated attack against the City of New Albany and an attempt to bypass established permitting processes. In contrast, Mayor Gahan expressed support for SB134, a comprehensive water management bill that would create regional water management councils to ensure responsible stewardship of Indiana’s waterways in an accountable and transparent way.
"SB134 is a great step forward in resolving the uncertainty surrounding Indiana’s water resources," said Mayor Gahan. "Unfortunately, instead of working toward real solutions, Ed Clere is pushing SB477 as a personal favor to out-of-town special interests, allowing private corporations to sidestep permitting laws and remove infrastructure without legal ownership or oversight.”
SB477, authored by State Senator Justin Busch and cosponsored by Clere, is “special legislation” that would grant permission to individuals to remove water infrastructure despite having no legal ownership. This legislation is widely seen as an effort to advance the interests of Origin Park and Ecosystems, a company hired to demolish the historic Glenmill Park Dam for a whitewater rafting project and the privatization of our public waterway, Silver Creek. Current state law requires proof of ownership before issuing such permits, a requirement that Clere’s SB477 would undermine and sidestep.
It is also worth noting that Origin Park, a private out-of-town corporation, has received over $37 million in public taxpayer funds through a special earmark in the 2024 Indiana State General Fund Budget. This non-elected and unaccountable group has been using these public funds to bash public office holders and fight extended lawsuits in the pursuit of their Adventure Park and privatization of natural, public resources and lands.
Locally, the City of New Albany has actively worked to preserve and improve the historic Glenmill Park Dam, including emergency maintenance last summer to eliminate the "hydraulic roller effect" that tragically claimed the life of a child. Many of the issues surrounding the Glenmill Park Dam arose because there is no known ownership of the structure, meaning there is currently no legal entity responsible for upkeep, maintenance, or the safety of the structure.
“With no known owner, and no one taking responsibility for the clear danger that the hydraulic roller effect caused, I did what any Mayor would do – we fixed the dam and eliminated the public danger to our community,” stated Mayor Gahan.
With no legal ownership of the dam established, SB477 creates further uncertainty, bypassing due process and potentially leading to extended lawsuits and wasted taxpayer dollars.
"I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that our State Representative, Ed Clere, is focused on political attacks that benefit out-of-town corporations rather than addressing real issues affecting New Albany residents," Mayor Gahan continued. "This sloppy legislation prioritizes out-of-town special interests and earmarks over public safety, historical preservation, and responsible water management."
The City urges lawmakers to reject SB477 and instead support SB134, which would establish regional councils to oversee Indiana’s waterways, ensuring transparency and accountability to voters.
